Dear Captjns
I wont be drawn into a meaningless discussion about the experience levels of pilots in different accidents and incidents. Just to remind you, it was you Sir, who brought up the lack of accidents or rather that you don't recall any and you where corrected on the matter.
Further, you are somewhat mistaken on the subject or at the least interpreted my post wrong either by mistake or on purpose.
This thread is NOT about low time pilots but about those who pay their own ratings in order to get a job.
If you read my post again, you might find that my comments where about the latter group. You might also find that the low time pilots "Selected" by airlines where screened carefully for their aptitude (Not to say that HR garbage departments got it right all the time) and not for their financial ability or the size of wallet daddy has. These days, especially with the worsening economical situation, the financial ability seems to be much more important to some low cost operators than suitability of the candidate.
There are however situations that one could consider paying a rating. Lets take a 10000h pilot flying large commercial jets and wanting to move to VIP flying. He or she gets an offer saying that if you are rated on a G550, here's your job and you are on salary now. That could be a tempting proposition especially if the type rating cost is tax deductable partially or the salary covers the incurred cost in a short time. However for a low time pilot with 200 something hours, it is a huge gamble. Personally I could not recommend if there was no guarantee of a well paid job. These days it is unlikely to get a job such as that and more like it they will end up paying for sim assesments, line training and their own upkeep during and after release.
Edited to fit what I really wanted to say.
Last edited by JJflyer; 27th April 2009 at 06:57.